Selector valve



April 11, 1950 Filed Oct. 1, 1943 J. R. SNYDER SELECTOR VALVE .EE-f

3 Sheets-Sheet l 0200a Bus gr/r0512 sarily requires very Patented Apr. 11, 1950 Thompson Products, Inc.,

corporation of Ohio Cleveland, Ohio, a

Application October 1, 1943, Serial No. 504,534

2 Claims. -.1

The present invention relates to certain improvements in thestructure of valves and the alike. .More .particularly, the invention concerns means for supporting a rotatable valve .member in its housing member together with sealing means'for'maintaining' a positive seal between the elements of the valve structure.

Specifically, theinvention relates to the application of bearing means to. a valve or the like 'for supporting-the valve member in freely rotatable: and spacedlrelation withrespect to theinner :surface of the-valvehousing. Moreover, itis further "contemplated to provide a novel sealing -means for preventing leakage between said valve member and said housing member.

In a plug,-or cock typevalve, in particular, it is customary to provide a relatively close surfaceto-surface contact-between the plug member and the housing member. This arrangement necesclose machining tolerances and a veryhigh degree or accuracy'in maintaining 'these tolerances to prevent leakage'and inoperativeness of the finished valve structure.

In'a'ccordance with the present invention it is proposed to provide a spacing in valves and the like between the ordinary contiguous surfacesof the plug member and the housing member therefor. This novel concept requires much less accurate machining of the parts which may besupported'in relatively rotatable relation by the use of bearing means, such, for example, as oilless, roller, orball bearings orthe like between the members to support the plug member with respect to its housing member. The provision of antifriction bearings not only reduces the possibility of wear, scoring and resultant damage of the valve parts but also greatly reduces the torque load required to shift the members.

Sincea definite spacing is provided between the valve elements to minimize the importance of machining tolerances and decrease wear, it is expedient to provide an effective and readily adjustable sealing means between the several parts to preventleakage. This is most advantageously accomplished,according to the present invention, by providing form of self-adjusting sealing means between the housing member and the plug member. The present invention, moreover, contemplates the use of sealing means in multi-port units which are independent of each other and individually demountable for replacement and for adjustment.

.It is, vtherefore,aprimary:obiect of the present invention to provide, among other things, an efli- .cient valves'tructure having the aforementioned attributes and characteristics.

Another object of the present invention is 'to .provide a valve assembly which is simple,'lo win cost and exceptionally high in rfunctional efliciency.

It "isanother object of the present invention to provide a valve structure in which the sealing members are so disposed and resiliently supported that manufacturing irregularities, wear, flaws or shrinkages in the. parts are automatically compensated for.

Itis-a further object of the present invention to provide in a valvestructure sealing means 'for each individual port provided for the passage of fluid therethrough so that each port willbe independently sealed .and the swelling or shrinking-of one or more of the seals will not a'ffect'the iunctioning of the remaining sealing means.

.It is stillanother object of 'the present invention to provide-a valve structure which is-s0 .designed that the external periphery of the plug or cylinder is free from contact with the inner periphery -of the housing member thereby not only effectively reducing the torque required "to operate the valve to a minimum but also avoiding the possibility of scoring, scalling or scuffing of the cylinder surface in contact with'the sealing members which would otherwise make for leakage oran undesirably high torque.

Another and still further object of the present invention is to provide a valve structure which offers substantially no restriction to the flow of fluid therethrough in proportion to the internal diameters of the piping, tubing or other connections whichare served.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a valve unit in which the line pressure aids in sealing the packing around the cylinder shaft as well as the port seal when fluid is flowing toward the periphery of the cylinder.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a valve structure which can be manu- Qfactured without the use of :high precision machinery and which by reason of permitt ng liberal manufactuing tolerances makes possible lower cost and higher production output-per man hour to manufacture.

Still'other features and objects of the present invention will be apparent from the followingdetailed description of the appended drawings, which, by way of prefered example, illustrate several embodiments of the invention.

In the drawings: I

Figure 1 represents an elevation of a valve structure with parts broken away and in section illustrating the principles of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical cross-section through the device of Figure 1 taken substantially at right angles to the plane of the elevation;

Figure 3 is a horizontal cross-section taken along the line IIIIII of Figure 2;

Figure 4 represents a sectional elevation from the line IVIV in Figure 2 of one form of coupling means for securing a swivel type connection to the valve structure;

Figure 5 is an elevation of another form of valve structure to which the principles of the present invention are advantageously adapted to be applied;

Figure 6 represents a view of the base of the valve structure of Figure 5;

Figure '7 is a vertical cross-section taken through the device illustrated in Figure 5 taken substantially at right angles to the plane of the elevation;

Figure 8 represents a horizontal cross-section taken along the line VIIIVIII in Figure '7;

Figure 9 represents a plan view of another form of valve structure with which the teachings of the present invention may advantageously be employed;

Figure 10 is a side elevation of the device of Figure 9 with parts broken away and in section; and

Figure 11 is a horizontal cross-section taken along the line XIXI of Figure 10 of the drawings.

As shown on the drawings:

The device of Figures 1 to 3, inclusive, represents a form of valve structure commonly defined as a selector cock. The unit illustrated is particularly advantageously adapted to be employed in an airplane for the purpose of handling the fuel supply and is capable of selectively interconnecting one or the other, or both simultaneously, of a pair of fuel tanks with the ture I! in said wall and be secured thereto by v a plurality of bolts I8 in such manner that the valve body will be substantially flush with the under surface of the partition I6 so that only the control portion, to be hereinafter described in detail, extends through the aperture II.

The valve structure I5 comprises a casing I9 in which is disposed a rotatably mounted plug for controlling the supply of fluid from the connections 2| and 22 to the outlet 23. The connections 2|, 22 and 23 are each secured to the external faces 24, 25 and 26, respectively, of the casing I9 adjacent to and in cooperative relation with the ports 21, 28 and 29, respectively. The connections 2| and 22 are secured to the faces 24 and 25 as by means of a flange 30 or 3|, as the case may be, and bolts 32, 33. A substantially triangularly shaped collar member 34 having a central circular opening 35 which engages the flange portion 36 of the connection 23 and is secured to the face 26 of the casing I9 as by bolts 37 which register with apertures 38 permits the connection 23 to be disposed in rotatable relation with respect to the port 29.

A cover 40 which is centrally apertured as indicated by the reference character 4| is secured The valve structure, indito the casing I9 as by means of a plurality of bolts 42 backed by washers 43, said bolts being threaded into said casing I9 and suitable gaskets being provided between said cover and said casing. The upwardly projecting shank portion 44 of a central cylindrical portion 45 which may advantageously be formed integrally with the body of the plug 20 extends through the opening 4| in said cover member 40. A suitable packing assembly including packing ring 45 backed by a washer 49 and held in place in a counterbore 50 on the under side of the cover an as by means of a spring 47 encircling the shank 44 and positioned as by means of the groove 43 in the upper end of the plug 25 may be provided to prevent the possibility of fluid leakage from the chamber 5| within the casing I9 about the external periphery of the shank 44. A yoke connection 5| is adapted to be fitted over the end of the shank 44 of the plug 20 extending through the cover 40 and is attached thereto by means of a diametrically disposed pin 52 which extends through said shank 44.

The cover 45 is provided with a counterbore 54 which is concentric with the aperture 4| therein and is adapted to receive a suitable bearing 55 which may be press fit or otherwise suitably secured in said counterbore 54. The bearing 55 which is advantageously of annular form is adapted to accommodate internally thereof the lowermost end of the yoke connection 5| the shoulder 56 of which is adapted to engage the upper surface of said bearing 55. A raised boss 58 disposed internally of the casing I9 and formed on the base thereof has a counterbore 59 into which is press fit or otherwise suitably secured a bearing 60 similar in character to that of the bearing 55. The bearing 50 is adapted to receive internally thereof the lower end of the integral cylindrical portion 45 of the plug 20 in rotatable relation within its inner periphery.

The bearings 55 and 60 disposed in the cover 40 and the base of the casing I9, respectively, are thus capable of rotatably supporting the plug 20 with respect to the internal chamber 5| of the casing I9. The bearings 55 and may advantageously be formed of oil impregnated material such, for example, as, Morganite or the like or may be of the ball or roller bearing type of frictionless bearing. The plug 2|! may thus be rotatably supported in the chamber 5| of the casing IS in spaced relation with respect to the internal periphery of said casing I 9. This spaced relation of the plug 2|] and the casing I9 reduces the torque required to shift the plug 2|] ordinarily encountered by virtue of the friction be tween the outer periphery of the plug member 20 and the internal periphery of the casing I9 or the sealing means provided therebetween. Scoring, scalling or scuiiing of the plug 2|) or of the inner surface of the casing I9 are thus prevented from affecting the operation of the valve structure.

By virtue of the spaced relation of the plug 20 with respect to the interior of the casing I9 suitable sealing assemblies such, for example, as those indicated generally by the reference character 62 may be provided to afford positive sealing engagement between the plug 20 and the several ports 21, 28 and 29 in the casing I9. The sealing assembly 62 may advantageously comprise a resilient sealing member 63 which may be composed of such material as cork, rubber, synthetic rubber or any suitable plastic material disposed internally of which is a sleeve aaeaeea contact withwthe outer'periphery' of the plug 1 A: snap:- ring 68; which is; adapted to be-positioned in: an: annular: groove 69 cut or; formed. internally at each: of. the" severab ports- 21,; 28-. and; 29 rethe: spring": 66 each: of; said ports in contact with: the surface of? flange of the sleeve 64a.

, The plug 20 is; advantageously formed. as; a hollow closed: toppedi generally cylindrical mem. ber ire. which is integrally. formed the cylindrical portion. 452 which thus. forms; internally of. said plug 2a a substantially inverted cup-shaped chamber 1:11. In order to: afford unrestricted communication between the several ports 21 28 and 29. of; the casing 19501.- any two or more of said ports a plurality of apertures II, 12 and 1:3: for; communication with said ports is provid'edl in the" external. wall; of the plug 20- enclosing: the chamber to. provide; completely} unhampered passage of the fluid through? theinterior' of: the plug: 20 a corresponding; number of apertures 14, I5 and. 16 are: provided; in: the generally cylindrical portion 45; disposed centrally of the plug 20 and formed; integrally therewith; This form of construction, is advantageous in that it provides a relatively ll'ght,;plug:f 20 for support and rotation by the bearingalifi and Sofas well. as aconsi'derable saving? in material in. its. fabrication.

suitablelform or, indexing means may be employed; in. cooperative relation between the plug 20,: and the casing [9 so" as to indicate the station: at which! the? plug is positioned. and also to: prevent absolutely free rotatiorr of said plug with respect to' the'casing: when it is desired to retain the same inone particular position. For this: purpose there. has been; illustrated a form ofiindexingr means embodying anub=11 backed by a. compression coil spring 18 and: disposed. in .1,

slida'blei relation: with respec'tto a bore 19 in the upper face of theiplugizll. The-mob is adapted to? be' urged. by the spring. 18: into a cupped insert 80.? press fit" inter the under surface of the cover W, a plurality of said cupped members: being provided: to correspond; with the number of stations: on posit-ions for the plug; 20: with respect toLthe: casing t9:

It will also: beapparent from the, foregoing descriptiomthat:thervalve unit of Figures; 1, tell, inclusive; provides a freely rotatable plug: 29 which is. disposed internally off the casing: I9 and in: spaced: relation. with respect; to. the internal peripherythereof and? further provides spaced: hearing-r means; ink the: casing: for support.- in'g: said plug thereinl. The sealing assemblies 62 associated with each of the: ports-1 21 28 and '23 im the casing I 9 are adapted to: be: adjustabl'y held in contact with the outer periphery of the plug 2'!) and afford" substantiallyleakproofi con.- nectionbetween the several ports and apertures Fl, 12" and T3 in the plug 25 when connection therebetween is established by the positioning of the plug; 20 with respect't'o the casing IS. The sealing assemblies 62" are-particularly advantageous in that they'are self-adjusting beingcapable of" maintaining constant contact with the surface of theplug member" 20 at all times in the operation of. the valve" structure. Moreover, any one or more of the sea-ling assemblies 62 Similarly, in: order to maybe: removed: from the: ports: independently ofz'the other. similar assemblies or the elements,

of thevalve: StllllcbllIfEzbY removing the-snap ringfrom the groove 69 with: which itregisters and. disassembling the parts, asmay" bedesired.

The; valve. structure illustrated in Figures 5 to 8,.inclusive-,.of the'draw-ings isgenerally simi lap to that of Figures 1: toil-but differs. therefrom principally inthe: fact that an outletisprovided in thebasethereot whichnmay communicate with.

anyone or more of: a plurality of ports in the casing; thereof. The; valve unit 85,1ike the valve 531ml Figure 1, is adapted to be mounted upon a partition wall or other suitable mounting base r 86 as; by meansot aplurality ofbolts 81: which extend through suitably disposed apertures: in

the: flange; portions. 38 89 and, 90 shown in: Figore-6:. Asbefore, the control-portion for manipulating the valve unit 85 projects through an aperture: 9.1 in the partition 8d while the body ct the: valve is. mounted on the under side. or back of. the partition; 86

The valve 85. as illustrated: in Figure '7 of the drawings comprises a casing 92' tov which is. secured; a. cover 9 3- in-r any suitable fashion such, for example; as: by means of: the bolts 94 and formingtherein a chamber 95 which. is. adapted to receive the plug 96; Suitable gaskets areprovidedbetween the cover 93 and casing. 92. The casing 92 is provided. withv a port 91 disposed .in the? base. thereofv having, associated therewith a substantially triangularly shaped flange 98 to whicl'rv a. suitable piping connection may be secured. The; port 91 together with the radially disposed ports 99, I550? and Hl'l in. the casing, 92 communicate with the chamber 9151f0r directing the passage-of fluid. through the valve 85 The flanges; I03 lilkand Hi5 disposed;- about the ports entee and: I 0 I-,. respectively, are provided for the purpose oi attachingthereto pipe. connections serving the valve; 85..

Thezplug 96. is substantially similar to theplug 20. 01 theembodimentot the invention illustrated in! Figure 2- of the drawings in that it encloses a chamber its? disposed between its outer walls and a substantially cylindrical-portioni01- which terminates in a shank portion L08 projecting through an aperture H39 in: the cover 93- Associated with the shank portion I08 is ayoke connection H B securedto saidshank portion as means! air the pin: t-H; A suitable packing gland: assembly indicated generally by the reference 'oharacter: HZ. and substantially identical to that employed in the valve structure illustrated in: Figure; 2 -encircles-'theshank portion N18 and. the plug: 96 to prevent leakage ofthe fluid from the chamber-taabout the' exter-nalperiphery oi the shank portion 108'.

Am annular: bearing-y. I I3 is adapted to be-press fit; or otherwise; suitably secured in, acounterbore Iii 4- disposed conncentrically' with respect to the aperture H19:- inthe cover 961 and to receive in- 't'ernally thereof: the lowermost-end of the yoke connection. IN) and engaging the shoulder H5 on saidwyoketconnection; A similar annular beari'rig; M61: is:- secured in a-coiunterbore H1 which: is disposed: substantially concentrically with respect 13031319130117 9?! in the base of the valve 85 and receives=in its; internal periphery thelowermost end" of; the: generally cylindrical, portion I01- of theplug- 96; The bearing: meansl i-3 and He provided in the cover 93. and: the casing 911-, respectively; serve: to: support: the plug 96" infreely rotatable: relation: within the chamber 95 formed in saidcasingifil.

A plurality of openings extending through the outer wall of the plug 96 and communicating with the chamber I06 therein, said openings indicated by the reference characters H8, H9, I20 and I2I, are adapted to cooperate with the several ports 99, I and I M depending upon the position of the plug 96 with respect to the casing 92. It will be noted that a greater number of openings III; to I2I, inclusive, are provided in the wall of the plug 96 than there are ports in the casing 92, for the reason that it may be desired to join the port 91 in the base of the valve 85 with one port at a time or to simultaneously place all of the outlets in communication therewith.

It will be apparent that if the plug 96 is rotated through an angle approximately 45 from the position illustrated in Figure 8 and in a clockwise direction, the opening I20 will register with the port I00 while the openings H6, H9 and I2i will be positioned opposite blank spaces in the wall of the casing 92. Thus, the ports 99 and IN will be closed off from communication with the chamber 95. Similarly, if the plug 96 is rotated through an angle of approximately 45 in a counterclockwise direction, the port IOI will communicate directly with the opening I20 while the openings I I8, I I9 and I 2| will again be positioned at blank portions in the wall of the casing 92 thereby closing oiT the ports 99 and I00 from communication with the chamber 95.

Communication between the chamber I06 within the plug 96 and the port 91 in the base of the casing 92 is provided by a plurality of apertures I22, I23 and I24 in the generally cylindrical portion I01. The openings I22, I23 and I24 provide a substantially unhampered flow of fluid. from the chamber I06 in communication with one or more of the ports 99, I00 and IOI through the generally cylindrical portion I01 to the port 91. As in the case of the illustrated embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 2, a plurality of sealing assemblies I25 are provided, one being associated with each of the ports 99, I00 and IOI in the casing 92 of the valve 85 to prevent leakage of the fluid between the outer wall of the plug 96 and the inner periphery of the casing 92. These sealing assemblies are in each instance exactly similar to the assemblies 62 of Figures 2 and 3.

As in the case of the valve I of the previously described embodiment of the invention, the valve 85 is provided with a plurality of cupped inserts I21 in the under face of the cover member 93 which are adapted to register with an indexing assembly I 26 which is provided in the body of the plug 96 and is generally similar to that of the unit previously described in connection with the embodiment of the invention of Figure 1. The indexing assembly I26 is provided to indicate the position of the plug 96 with respect to the casing 92 and to afford a certain degree of resistance to the freedom of movement of the plug 96 in the chamber 95 in the casing 92 when the plug is positioned in a manner to locate the openings I I8, H9, I20 or I2I in the desired relation with respect to the ports 99', I 00 and I M in the casing 92.

The valve unit I 30 illustrated in Figures 9 to 11, inclusive, of the drawings differs somewhat from that of the valve units I5 and 85. As before, however, the valve I30 is adapted to be secured to a partition wall or other suitable mounting base I3I as by means of a plurality of bolts I32 so that the valve body is disposed in back of or below the partition wall but has the controlling portion extending through an aperture I33 in said wall I3I. The flange I34 which is apertured to accommodate a plurality of bolts I32 for mounting the valve I upon the wall I3I advantageously forms an integral part of the casing I 35.

The casing I35 which defines an internal chamber I33 is provided with a plurality of ports I31, I38 and I39 which are disposed in substantially radial relation with respect to the chamber I35 and adapted to communicate with said chamher and a port I40 in the base thereof. The plug I M of generally cylindrical form encloses an internal chamber I42 which is open at the bottom to communicate with the port I40 in the casing I35. An opening I43 extending through the wall of plug I4! connects the chamber I36 formed in the casing I35 with the internal chamber I42 in the plug I4I. Each of the ports I31, I38, I 39 and I40 may be internally threaded as indicated to receive a plurality of connectionssuch, for example, as pipe I44 threaded into the port I31.

The plug I II is provided with a shank portion I 35 of generally cylindrical form which is adaptedto receive the yoke connection I46 secured thereto as by means of a pin I41 for rotating the plug I All. A cover plate I48, which is indicated as being in the form of a stamping although it may be of any suitable form, is secured to the casing I35 as by means of a plurality of bolts I49 which may be threaded into the body of the casing I 35. The cover plate I48 is cen' trally apertured as at I50 to permit the shank portion M5 of the plug I4I to project therethrough. A raised boss portion I5I formed in the cover plate I43 is adapted to accommodate a packing gland assemblywhich includes a packing ring I 52 backed by a washer I53 and a spring I54 all of which encircle the shank portion I45 of the plug I (II. An annular groove I55 in the plug I4I receives the spring I54 so as to urge the washer I53 and the packing ring I52 in sealing engagement with the shank portion I45 to prevent leakage of the fluid from the chamber I35 in the casing I35.

A sealing assembly I56 is disposed internally of each of the ports I31, I38 and I39 in the casing I35 so as to prevent leakage between the inner wall of the casing I35 and the external face of the plug MI. The sealing assembly I56 comprises a sealing ring I51, a sleeve member I58 having a flange I59, a compression spring I00 disposed between the flange I59 of the sleeve I 58 and a washer I6I positioned against an annular shoulder I62 formed internally of each of the ports I31, I38 or I39, as the case maybe. The sealing assemblies I56, as in the case of those previously described in connection with the other illustrated embodiments of the invention, are freely adjustable to any irregularities which may be present in the external surface of the plug MI and so as to effectively seal the valve unit I30 against leakage from one port to the other.

A counterbore I63 in the base of the casing I35 and disposed in substantially concentric relation to the port I49 therein is adapted to receive an annular bearing I64 which may be press fit or otherwise suitably secured therein. The lowermost end of the plug MI is adapted to be inserted in the inner periphery of the bearing I64 and is provided with a shoiilder I65 formed. thereon to support said plug I4I against the surface of the bearing I64. A counterbore I66 formed substantially concentrically with respect to the chamber I36 in the casing I35 and adjacent the uppermost end thereof receives the bearing I61 which is secured therein in any suitable fashion and adapted to contact the uppermost portion of the external periphery of the plug Ill. The bearings I64 and I61, therefore, are adapted to support the plug MI in freely rotatable relation with respect to the casing I35.

An indexing means which is generally similar to that of the previously described illustrated embodiments of the present invention embodies a nub I69 and a spring I backing up said nub and disposed in a bore I1I in the upper surface of the plug I4I registers with each of a number of cupped bosses I12 formed in the cover plate I48. One such boss I12 is positioned adjacent the location in the casing I35 of each of the ports I31, I38 and I39 to indicate when the opening I43 in the plug MI is in communication with one or the other of the several ports in casing I35. In addition, a boss I12 is provided for the position of the plug MI in which the opening I43 therein is completely out of communication with any of the ports in the casing I35 corre sponding to its position illustrated in Figure 11. As before, the indexing assembly also serves to prevent unauthorized shifting of the plug I4I with respect to the casing I35 when it has been placed in the position desired.

It will, of course, be understood that various details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention and it is, therefore, not the purpose to limit the patent granted hereon otherwise than necessitated by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a fluid flow control device having a housing defining an operating chamber with a ported side wall and an end wall, the improvements comprising a light weight rotary valve plug having an outer, ported, cylindrical skirt wall freely rotatable within said chamber and spaced from the ported side Wall of the chamber, whereby the ports of said skirt wall are selectively alignable with the ports of said chamber side wall, said plug also having a hollow cylindrical central portion coaxial with said skirt, a first replaceable bearing means journalling said central portion in said end wall of said chamber, a shank portion on said valve coaxial with said central portion but projecting out of said chamber in the opposite direction, a second replaceable bearing means on said housing journalling said shank portion, said central cylindrical portion having radial apertures in the walls thereof, thereby defining a relatively unrestricted fiow chamber between the ports of the skirt wall, sealing sleeves slidably mounted in said housing ports and having end faces contoured to engage the skirt of the plug, and means urging said sealing sleeves toward the 10 chamber to press the end faces thereof against the skirt of the plug in sealing relation therewith.

2. In a fluid fiow control device having a housing defining a generally cylindrical operating chamber with a radially ported side wall and an axially ported end wall, the improvements comprising a light Weight rotary valve plug having an outer, ported, cylindrical skirt wall freely rotatable within said chamber and spaced from the ported side wall of the chamber, whereby the ports of said skirt wall are selectively alignable with the ports of said chamber side wall, said plug also having a hollow, cylindrical central portion coaxial with said skirt wall, a first replaceable bearing means journalling said central portion in said end wall of said chamber with the hollow interior of said central portion communicating with said axial port, a shank portion on said valve coaxial with said central portion but projecting out of said chamber in the opposite direction, a second replaceable bearing means on said housing journalling said shank portion, said central cylindrical portion having radial apertures in the walls thereof, thereby defining a relatively unrestricted flow chamber between the ports of the skirt wall and the bore of said central portion of the plug, sealing sleeves slidably' mounted in the radial ports of the housing side wall and having end faces contoured to engage the skirt of the plug, and means urging said sealing sleeves toward the operating chamber of the housing to place the end faces thereofagainst the skirt of the plug in sealing relation therewith.

JACOB RUSH SNYDER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 

